To The Lefties Among Us

[redhedlvr]

How do the left-handed amungst us play WoW, and any other computer game for that matter?  Do you bite the bullet and learn to right hand it?  Or are you working with left-handed specific mice and other things?  I have no clue

Comments

[phoenix_singing]

I just use a right-handed mouse. Have for years. It's easier and less expensive to get ergonomic mice that way, plus I don't aggravate the carpal tunnel/arthritis in my left hand (I need to be able to write and draw, so I do whatever I can to keep the pain down in that hand). And it's nice for office jobs because I can mouse with my right hand and have my paper/pencil/whatnot on the left. Not that it didn't suck to learn to use a mouse right-handed, but it does have its upsides!

If you want a lefty gaming mouse, Razer has a lefty DeathAdder, and there is talk of a lefty Razer (but no release date for the latter, so I wouldn't hold my breath). I've also heard good things about vertical mice. I can't confirm how well any of these will work out since I haven't had the opportunity to use them, but there are possibilities out there. The Nostromo game pad is nice too, very lefty friendly - only reason I don't use mine more is that it's too damn big for my tiny hands

[redhedlvr]

I've been holding off doing to the doctor. I just don't want to here her say cut down on my computer time! LoL. Isn't being a grown-up swell?

Anyway, I've never heard of a vertical mouse but will check it out. The braces sound like a good idea too. I know I tuck my hands under the pillow at night and wake up with numb hands some times. You're the second person to say mouse with your off-hand (so to speak) at work. My IT guy thinks I'm insane anyway!

Thanks for the suggestions.

[ne_jyam]

Just to give you some hope, around 6 years ago I developed some carpal tunnel and was in a lot of pain. Doc had me lay off the computer activity (I couldn't completely, because I was in school and my part-time job involved typing, but I put all my recreational computing on the back-burner) and I wore wrist braces almost 24/7 for a couple months. My wrists recovered, and eventually I eased my way back in to gaming and other computer stuff, and haven't had a problem with them since, knock on wood. So yeah, I second the braces, but definitely see the doctor too. You already know the worst thing they're gonna say. ;)

[redhedlvr]

Ok, braces are on the shopping list for tomorrow.

I did take a two week rest, although it wasn't on purpose. I have no computer access at all, and when I came back is when things really started to flare up. As usual, this community has lots of good ideas no matter how far fetched I think my question might be.

Have a peachy weekend.

[phoenix_singing]

Well, when I went to my doctor he had me try braces first and told me to come back if the symptoms didn't improve, so it'd probably be okay to test that out before you go to the doc. I went from waking up in the middle of the night with one or both arms asleep and PINPRICK SENSATION HORROR GOOD GOD to being mostly pain-free as long as I'm careful with my computer time, so there's hope! It still occasionally flares up and I'll have to take a few days off from the computer (thankfully I don't have a desk job so that works okay) or from knitting, but it's much better and I haven't had to fret about surgery or therapy! I just have to be extra careful to listen to my body when I'm doing things that require lots of use of my hands - knitting, typing, WoW, console gaming - and take frequent breaks

[redhedlvr]

Oh yes! I forgot about the knitting. That does indeed make it worse as I'm usually doing one or the other on a daily basis.

A follow-up would absolutely be possible. I've done a bit of research (cause it's Friday and I don't feel like working too hard) and have decided I need to re-think my whole work space. At least for home where I have more control and less budget oversight.

And oh hell yeah! Heated footrest is on my X-mas list this year. And if the kiddies don't get it for me, I'm gonna get it myself!

[blue_scarab]

My husband held off on going to the dr. too, and his carpal tunnel got so bad that it affected not only his wrist/hand, but his elbow and shoulder. Not at all fun. =/

[redhedlvr]

I checked out the vertical mice. I think that would be a big help as it's the "twisted" feeling I get when I'm using the mouse that is my biggest problem.

And while I was browsing I found this! http://www.ergonomicsmadeeasy.com/store/heating-solutions/product/heated-footrest/ Woo hoo, toasty feet.

Thanks again for your help.

[jeymien]

Agreed on the braces to sleep. I do that pretty often. I just hate how sweaty they get!

[phoenix_singing]

I am amazed at how often I wake up in the morning and find that I've removed my wrist brace or my elbow splint (compressed ulnar nerve) without even remembering doing it.

I'm like, how can this work if I'm pulling them off in my sleep?! XD

[jeymien]

LOL yes, I know exactly what you mean!

[redhedlvr]

The things we do when asleep.